|
|
|
|
|
|
in that mood. Owain rushed to make a pretence of searching while Geoffrey was already out of the tent and on a horse, racing back to the house to rectify the mistake. It was fortunate for Ian's squires that Sir Henry and Sir Walter chose that moment to arrive. Had Ian not been so furious at Owain and Geoffrey and still so undecided about what to do, he might have noticed the slightly overhearty manner in which they greeted him. He returned the greeting courteously enough, but his face was as black as thunder. The men glanced at each other. They had gone to Ian's house in good time to ride with him to the field and found him gone. This had provided them with the dubious pleasure of escorting Alinor, who was in such a temper that they had been heartily glad to be rid of her. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Erit is a fair and pleasant day," Sir Henry assayed. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"The weather holds most mild," Sir Walter agreed uneasily. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ian looked from one to the other and made a quick compromise. "The weather may be the only thing that smiles upon us," he remarked. "As you may know from yesterday's events, there are a few who believe I have done them a wrong. In fact, it has come to my ears that a large party will be marshaled especially against me." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
To Ian's surprise, expressions of intense relief, which were quickly masked, appeared on the faces of Alinor's vassals. Both assured him they would watch for any sign of such a move and hold their places beside him as well as they could. Ian could only assume that they, too, had heard the rumors and, for some reason, were reluctant to speak of the matter. Then he realized there was no need to warn Vesci and Leicester. Obviously, they already knew the part of the plot that might endanger them. Of the treachery from his own side, Ian dared not speak. Perhaps it would have been safe to tell Leicester, but Vesci and his followers would actively |
|
|
|
|
|